The man, who appears to be aged between 35 and 45, used a piece of concrete or a brick to break into the Melbourne Road charity about 9pm on Saturday.

Once inside, he targeted several tins containing coins before leaving the premises.

Detective Sgt Graeme Simpfendorfer said the man appeared to be desperate.

“To target the Salvos for coins, that tells us this person is quite desperate for coins,” he said.

“We were a bit surprised by that and a bit surprised to see someone of that age.”

The man appeared to have arrived at the building on foot.

Several cars drove past the building while the theft was under way.

“The man is Caucasian, of heavy build, and was wearing a blue jumper and baseball cap in the footage,” Detective Sgt Simpfendorfer said.

“We’re looking for anyone who may know the man or have information on the burglary.”

Detective Leading Sen Constable Andrew Leonard had earlier labelled the theft “heartless”.

“It was just a heartless theft against a charity that’s only there to help people,” he said on Monday.

“The smashed window will divert money to pay for repairs that would have been used to help.”

Police believe the man acted alone.